In the afternoon at the Theatre Royal, the Governor, accompanied by Professor Chalmers, delivered an address and presented awards at the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards (Tasmania) hosted by the National Australia Day Council.

The Governor always enjoys celebrating the achievements of our outstanding Tasmanians and so was proud to help present the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards for Tasmania at a ceremony in Hobart.

Her Excellency was delighted to announce emergency medicine specialist Dr Jorian Kippax as Tasmania’s Australian of the Year for 2026.

Dr Kippax was part of a specialist team of rescuers who helped free a Lithuanian whitewater rafter who became trapped in rapids on the Franklin River in 2024.

The Governor also presented the award for Tasmania’s Senior Australian of the Year to nutritious eating advocate Julie Dunbabin, former manager of the School Lunch Program at the Governor’s Patronage organisation School Food Matters.

She congratulated Tasmania’s Local Hero for 2026, social entrepreneur Emily Briffa, and Tasmania’s Young Australian of the Year life skills educator Alyssia Kennedy, and applauded the nominees across all categories.

The Tasmanian recipients will now join those from other states and territories for the national Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on 25 January 2026.

Photograph: National Australia Day Council/Salty Dingo